Life in London: Stunning basement flat refurbishment

Don't let the title of this ideabook fool you—the word basement, though it brings images like dark and underground to mind, does not in any way way, shape or form, describe the true nature of this project. In fact, it is anything but dank and mouldy; in total contrast, it is light filled and spacious. The refurbishment project we are privileged to tour through today was completed by Balance Property. The firm has successfully managed to create a basement apartment that is open plan with a wonderfully resolved internal layout. By employing a neutral and ethereal colour palette, rich material textures and clever design techniques, this stunning apartment is a space the owners will definitely be proud to call their own. Take a look…

A room with a view

Courtyard

In built up cities, it's becoming quite a stretch to have access to a little patch of greenery. In this case, the positioning of the basement flat means that an alternative needed to be thought up to replace the traditional notion of where one would usually place a window. To combat this issue, an internal courtyard has been added between the main living areas of the home, meaning that there will be no shortage of light entering these spaces. It also acts as an interesting transitional point between bedroom and living room—it's definitely not something we've seen before!

Open plan living

Living Room

From this angle, we can see the modern living area in full. The position of the l-shaped sofa creates a barrierless partition, meaning the all available light from the internal courtyard is able to fully penetrate the space. The choice of colour scheme, too, is the best choice possible for rooms that don't have prime solar access, which can sometimes be a problem in these basement style renovation projects. As you can see, the roof has been fitted with a generous row of skylights, meaning as much of the sun outside can infiltrate the room.

Wine & dine

Basement Flat Refurb

Here, we have a view of the open plan dining area and kitchen, and can see how they work in relation to one another. The days of separate dining rooms and compartmentalised kitchens are gone, and now occupants can enjoy an atmosphere that is interactive and conducive to conversation and free communication. After all, what better way to tease and whet the appetite of hungry guests or family members than when they can smell delicious home cooked food bubbling away on the stovetop or roasting away in the oven?

Sweet dreams

Bedroom in greys

As we enter the bedroom, we see a similar colour palette of white and neutral tones has been used. The walls have been painted a delicate shade of grey, which is highlighted wonderfully by the steel coloured headboard. To add a pop of colour, a complementary shade of lilac has been added via a bedspread, adding an elegant and stylish touch. Storage too, has been considered: the installation of floor to ceiling cupboards at the rear mean this chic bedroom design can remain clutter free and organised 24/7.

Wooden wonders

Parquet flooring and underlit counters

You may not have ever thought that wood floors would appear in a bathroom—but think again. The stunning parquet work on this floor is truly wonderful, and looks stunning in the crisp, stark white setting. Furthermore, the deeply stained vanity unit adds a dramatic touch to the space, balancing the wooden elements in the room. Given that the proportions of the room are quite small, the large mirror, in conjunction with the ample light source, helps the room to appear larger than it actually is. This is definitely an elegant and chic bathroom to begin the day refreshed, or wind down after a busy day.

Marble marvels

Marble and exposed steels

The effect created by floor to ceiling marble is pretty hard to beat. In this sea of ethereal white, the space is broken up by the subtle grey veins in the marble, the lacquered grey cabinet and rich black ceiling beams. The freestanding bathtub takes centre stage in the room, with the other fittings and fixtures restricted to the perimeter of the space. It may not be visible to you upon first glance, but there is actually a glass partition jutting out on the left hand side. This is a wonderfully unobtrusive way to divide a room without sacrificing any light or the feeling of spaciousness.